Washington: A top US Army officer has died
in Afghanistan and the US Army is investigating the
circumstances of his death.

The US Army said Brigadier General Terence Hildner, 49,
died in Kabul of apparent natural causes.

Hildner was commander of the 13th Expeditionary
Sustainment Command, Fort Hood, Texas, was in Afghanistan to
support the NATO training mission.

Hildner was one of the highest ranking officers to die
in Afghanistan, CNN reported.

"The unfortunate and untimely death of Brigadier General
Hildner was a shock to our unit and Families," Col. Knowles
Atchison, 13th ESC rear commander, said in a statement posted
on the Fort Hood website.

"Both forward deployed elements and we at home station
are deeply saddened by this loss. We will all pull together
through this difficult period and care for one another."

"The circumstances surrounding his death are under
investigation," the statement said.